These photos show what happens when a 'sustainable' bioplastic fork is dropped in the ocean

A new report illustrates how not all bioplastic is created equal—and shouldn’t necessarily be touted as a solution. In the summer of 2021, researchers from the nonprofit 5 Gyres carried a crate filled with samples of plastic trash to a dock in Long Beach, California. Inside mesh bags were 22 different items (from straws and bottles to pens, tampon applicators, and baby wipes) made from different types of bioplastic, standard fossil-fuel-based plastic, and natural materials like bamboo and pa...